University of Nevada Athletics

  JumpForward

• STUDENT-ATHLETE ACCESS

Extra Benefits
Accepting extra benefits, knowingly or not, is a serious violation of NCAA rules. You could lose your eligibility, your scholarship, and your right to compete in intercollegiate athletics if you accept extra benefits from any source. Keep in mind you are ineligible from the time a benefit is received, even if it is later repaid.  Examples of extra benefits include but are not limited to:

• Gifts or loans of clothing, audio or video equipment
• Food and beverages;
• Transportation;
• Use of an automobile or cellular phone;
• Low interest or interest-free loans, telephone cards, credit cards, charge accounts, etc.;
• Exceeding the allotted number of complimentary admissions;
• Cash, tangible items, free/discounted services in exchange for selling complimentary admissions, awards or equipment that you received from University of Nevada;
• Special discounts on products or services;
• Special payment arrangements on personal purchases;
• Material benefits that are not available to the general student body.

Student-athletes are only allowed to receive benefits that also are offered to the general student population. Be extremely careful of “free” or “special” benefits that you may be offered. Even a small benefit can put your eligibility in jeopardy. If any of these items or services have been offered to you by someone other than a family member, notify the Office of Compliance immediately. If you have any questions about whether something might be considered an extra benefit, ask your coach or the Office of Compliance.
 
Bylaw 16.02.3 An extra benefit is any special arrangement by an institutional employee or a representative of the institution's athletics interests to provide a student-athlete or the student-athlete's relative or friend a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation.
 
 
Student-Athlete Employment
Whether or not you are on an athletics scholarship, you and your employer must sign a written statement before beginning employment that verifies that:

• You obtained the employment through established hiring protocol available to other applicants;
• You are not receiving payment based on any publicity, reputation, fame, or personal following you have gained from your athletics ability;
• You are compensated only for work you have actually performed;
• Your rate of pay is the normal rate of pay for the duties performed and job qualifications;
• You are only paid for hours you have actually worked;
• If you are provided with transportation to work or any other benefit (e.g., meals, merchandise discounts), such benefits are available to all employees; and
• Your name and image are not used in any way in association with the business.

It is extremely important that the conditions of any employment you have while you are a student-athlete comply with NCAA bylaws (see Bylaw 12.4.1 & 12.4.2).  Infractions could jeopardize not only your own athletics eligibility, but that of your team.

At all times during your athletics eligibility, your employment must comply with University, Mountain West Conference, and NCAA regulations.

A student-athlete may receive compensation for teaching or coaching sport skills in his or her sport on a fee-for-lesson basis under the following conditions:

• The institution obtains and keeps on file documentation of the recipient of the lessons and the fee for the lessons provided during any time of the year;
• Institutional facilities may not be used;
• Playing lessons are not permitted (in other words, it’s not permissible to be paid for playing someone, as opposed to teaching them);
• The compensation is paid by the lesson recipient or the recipient’s family and not another individual or entity; and
• Your name and image are not used to promote or advertise the fee-for-lesson instruction.

If you wish to be employed, please download and complete the STUDENT-ATHLETE EMPLOYMENT form and return to the Office of Compliance to obtain approval prior to beginning and/or accepting any employment.
 
 
Agents/Advisors
Who is an Agent? Whether registered or not, literally anyone can meet the definition of an agent.  Making any sort of agreement with someone, regardless of whether they claim to be an agent, can and will be considered by the NCAA as a loss of your amateurism.  While the NCAA definition is quite long and confusing, a good baseline is to simply refrain for entering into any type of agreement with anyone for any services relating to a professional career until you are ready to forego your remaining eligibility.  If at any point you have a question(s), please contact the Office of Compliance for assistance.
 
Use of Agents
General Rule: You will be ineligible for participation in an intercollegiate sport if you ever agree, either verbally or in writing, to be represented by an agent for the purpose of marketing your athletics ability or reputation in that sport.
 
Representation for Future Negotiations:
You will be ineligible if you enter into a verbal or written agreement with an agent for representation in future professional sports negotiations that are to take place after you complete your eligibility.
 
Benefits from Agents:
You will be ineligible if you (your relatives or friends) accepts any benefits from any person who represents an individual in the marketing of their athletics ability. Receiving such expenses constitutes compensation based on athletics skill and is an extra benefit not available to the student body in general.
 
Legal Counsel:
Securing advice from a lawyer concerning a proposed professional sports contract shall not be considered contracting for representation by an agent unless the lawyer also represents the student-athlete in negotiations for such a contract.  A lawyer may not be present during discussions of a contract offer with a professional organization or have any direct contact (i.e., in person, by telephone or by mail) with a professional sports organization on behalf of the student-athlete.  A lawyer’s presence during such discussions is considered representation by an agent.
 
If you wish to secure legal counsel for purposes of advisement, please download and complete the STUDENT-ATHLETE AGENT/ADVISOR form and return to the Office of Compliance to obtain approval prior to securing legal services.
 
 
Gambling
NCAA regulations prohibit student-athletes and University of Nevada Athletics staff members from:

• Providing information to individuals involved in gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletics competition;
• Placing or accepting a bet on any team representing the institution;
• Placing or accepting a bet on any competition in an NCAA-sponsored sport on the amateur, collegiate or professional level;
• Participating in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics through a bookmaker, a parlay card, websites or any other method of organized gambling (e.g., bracket pool or fantasy football league requiring an entrance fee and daily fantasy sports).

Although sports wagering is legally permissible in the State of Nevada, the NCAA prohibition still applies to all Nevada coaches, staff, and student-athletes.
 
A wager is betting cash or any other item with tangible value (e.g., shirts, dinner) on the outcome of an event. Student-athletes violating NCAA sports wagering regulations face a minimum loss of one year of eligibility. Those wagering on a competition in which the University of Nevada is a participant risk permanent loss of all remaining eligibility.
 
 
Complimentary Admission Rules & Process
Student-athletes must sign up their guests by the indicated deadline for each respective game, home or away. It is important that the student-athlete accurately list the first and last names of their guests in JumpForward.  A teammate can assist another teammate who needs additional complimentary admissions for family members, relatives, or friends. This must be done by the student-athlete transferring his or her admissions to a teammate through JumpForward.  Immediate family members (e.g., parents, siblings) must be listed by a student-athlete before anyone else can be listed (e.g., friends).
 
Value for Admissions:
Student-athletes may not receive payment from any source for complimentary admissions.  Student-athletes may not exchange or assign complimentary admission to anyone for any item of value.  Individuals designated by the student-athlete to receive complimentary admissions are not permitted to receive any type of payment for these admission or to exchange or assign them for any item of value.  Violating either of these rules will result in the student-athlete’s loss of eligibility.
 
Process:
Institutional policy states that changes may not be made after the lockout has been concluded in JumpForward. No changes will be made at the player pass gate the day of the game.  Each guest must appear in person to receive his/her complimentary admission. Valid picture identification is required for all individuals using a complimentary admission. Guests that are 13 years of age or younger that do not have a picture I.D. must request their complimentary admission with an adult that has proper identification and also appears on the pass list. Everyone, regardless of age, must present a ticket for admission.
 
Individuals receiving complimentary admissions must proceed immediately into the respective venue. Once inside, individuals may not exit and re-enter. No pass outs will be issued.
 
Student-athletes are not to share their JumpForward password with any other individuals.
 
Bylaw 16.2  An institution may provide four complimentary admissions per home or away intercollegiate athletics event to a student-athlete in the sport in which the individual participates (either practices or competes), regardless of whether the student-athlete competes in the contest.
 

Promotional Activities
If you are approached for a promotional activities request, never agree to such request without first going through the Office of Compliance.  Any use of a student-athlete's name, picture or appearance to support a charitable, educational or non-profit activity must receive prior approval from the Office of Compliance.  Bylaw 12.5.1.1 states that the following conditions must be met for participation:

• The student-athlete receives prior written approval from the Athletics Director (or designee)
• The specific activity or project in which the student-athlete participates does not involve co-sponsorship, advertisement or promotion by a commercial agency
• The student-athlete does not miss class
• All moneys derived from the activity or project go directly to the charitable, educational or non-profit agency
• The student-athlete may receive actual and necessary expenses from the charitable or non-profit agency related to participation in the activity (only if the appearance occurs in Nevada or within 100 miles of the University of Nevada)
• The student-athlete's name, picture or appearance is not utilized to promote the commercial ventures of any non-profit agency
• The student-athlete and an authorized representative of the charitable, educational or non-profit agency sign a release statement ensuring compliance with this section.

Institutional Memorabilia Requests:
Student-athletes are highly encouraged to personalize any items that they autograph to the recipient. This ensures that items are less likely to appear for sale on internet auction sites for the financial gain of a third party vendor.  If a third party sells your autograph/memorabilia even without your permission, your eligibility could still be jeopardized. 
 
The University of Nevada receives many requests for memorabilia from organizations each year. Student-athletes should forward any requests received to the Event Marketing Office and attempt to remove themselves from the process entirely.  All requests will abide to the following guidelines.

• Due to NCAA regulations, we are unable to fulfill requests that would benefit students in grades 9-12. This includes all high school auctions, raffles, fund raisers, and requests for prizes.
• Requests for operating expenses and other monetary donations cannot be honored.
• Memorabilia is limited to one request per organization during the University’s fiscal year.
• Due to the high volume of requests that we receive, we are not able to guarantee that we will have an item for your event. We appreciate your support of Nevada Athletics, and hope that your event is a success.
• Requests for items to be autographed by student-athletes cannot be honored.

If you are being asked to participate in a promotional activity, please download and complete the PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITY form and return to the Office of Compliance to obtain approval prior to participation.
 
 
Outside Competition
Nevada student-athletes must receive approval from the Office of Compliance prior to participating in competition as a member of an outside sports team or as an individual.  Pending Compliance approval, student-athletes in all sports (except football) may compete in non-collegiate amateur competition during select time periods (e.g., summer break, official Nevada vacation periods when team it out-of-season).
 
During the Academic Year:

• In the sport of basketball, you cannot participate during the academic year in any organized basketball competition without losing ALL eligibility for further intercollegiate competition in the sport of basketball.
• In all sports except basketball, you cannot participate during the academic year as a member of an outside team in any non-collegiate, amateur competition. Exception: You may represent the University of Nevada in intercollegiate competition in accordance with permissible playing season rules in your sport (e.g., tournament play, exhibition games).
• Anytime a student-athlete wants to compete during the academic year while not representing Nevada, they must obtain prior written approval from the Office of Compliance. A student-athlete may participate unattached in an open meet where Nevada student-athletes are representing Nevada as long as the meet is open to the general public, is not held in conjunction with an intercollegiate competition, and no team scoring occurs.

General Exceptions:

• Olympic Games
• Official Pan-American Games (Tryout and Competition)
• U.S. National Teams
• Official World Championships and World Cup tryouts and competition

Soccer Exception:
After May 1, soccer student-athletes may compete as a member of an outside soccer team provided only five or less student-athletes from any single NCAA institution participate, the competition is approved in advance by the Compliance Office, and no class time is missed for practice activities or competition.

Volleyball Exception:
After May 1, volleyball student-athletes may compete as a member of an outside volleyball team provided only two or less student-athletes from any single NCAA institution participate, all practice/competition is confined to doubles tournaments in outdoor volleyball, the competition is approved in advance by the Compliance Office, and no class time is missed for practice activities or competition.

Vacation Period Participation:
Student-athletes must download and submit the OUTSIDE COMPETITION form to the Office of Compliance prior to participating in EACH non-collegiate, amateur competition during each vacation period. Each sport has specific regulations regarding permissible activities.

Summer Leagues - Basketball
Student-athletes in the sport of basketball are required by NCAA rules to obtain written permission from the Athletic Director prior to engaging in any summer league activities. Student-athletes must participate in NCAA-certified leagues, and no more than two University of Nevada basketball players may compete on any certified summer league team.
 
 
Continuing Athletics & Academic Eligibility
12-Hour Rule:
To be eligible for practice, competition and financial aid, you must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. If you have a diagnosed learning disability permitting you to have accommodations for less than 12 hours of enrollment, a waiver must be filed and granted by the NCAA in order for you to be eligible for practice and competition. If you are in your last semester of school and your audit indicates that you need fewer than 12 credit hours to graduate, you may enroll in only these final hours and still be eligible for practice, competition and financial aid. Graduate students who have eligibility remaining must be enrolled in at least nine credit hours to be considered full-time students.
 
Progress toward Degree Requirements:
To maintain your eligibility, you must:

• Complete 24 hours of academic credit prior to your second year of enrollment.
• Earn 18 hours of academic credit during the traditional academic year (i.e., fall and spring, not including summer).
• Earn six hours of academic credit in the previous regular academic term of full-time enrollment.
• Declare a major no later than the beginning of your fifth semester or third year of enrollment. Once you declare a degree, all academic credit used to fulfill NCAA requirements must be degree applicable.
• Complete 40%, 60%, and 80% of your degree requirements before the beginning of your third, fourth and fifth years of enrollment, respectively.
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA that is 90% of minimum GPA required to graduate (at least 1.8) at the beginning of your second year, 95% of the minimum GPA (1.9) at the beginning of the third year and 100% of the minimum GPA (2.0) in both the fourth and fifth years.
• Football ONLY: Complete nine hours of academic credit during the fall term and earn the Academic Progress Rate eligibility point for the fall term. Student-athletes failing to meet these requirements are not eligible for the first four contests of the following season.

To Maintain Your Athletic Eligibility, You Must . . .
Be academically eligible to attend the University of Nevada. This means you must maintain a GPA that places you in good academic standing at UNR.
 
The Six-Hour Rule:
To be eligible to compete in a postseason event (e.g., conference tournament, bowl game, National Invitation Tournament, NCAA Championship) between regular academic terms (including summer) or in regular season competition in the next term, a student-athlete must satisfactorily complete six semester hours of academic credit the preceding regular academic term of full-time enrollment. The University of Nevada has 14 business days after the date of the last scheduled examination for the term that is ending to certify completion of the six semester hours of academic credit. If the postseason event occurs prior to the conclusion of the 14 business days, eligibility is determined by using grades from either the preceding regular academic term or from the most recent regular academic term for which grades have been posted.
 
Graduate Students:
Graduate students must maintain good academic standing in accordance with institutional and conference rules. Additionally, a graduate student must earn six credit hours per term to be eligible to compete and must be eligible to enroll the next term in order to be eligible to compete between terms.
 
Five-Year Clock:
The NCAA states that you have five calendar years in which to complete four seasons of competition in a sport. This five-year clock begins when you become a full-time student at any collegiate institution. These five years are continuous. If you are not enrolled in school at any time during these five years, you do not regain that time. In special cases, you may be granted an extension of the five-year eligibility clock.
 
 
Financial Aid Resources
The NCAA permits a student-athlete to receive financial aid from anyone upon whom he or she is naturally or legally dependent. A student-athlete may also receive financial aid that does not exceed the University of Nevada’s published Cost of Attendance figure.
 
Lease Agreement Requirement:
All student-athletes receiving athletics aid who are not living with their parents or legal guardians must present a copy of their lease agreement covering the upcoming academic year.  Failure to turn in will result in a withholding of the student-athlete’s room and board stipends.  Lease agreements will ensure that student-athletes are receiving the appropriate amount of athletics aid as required by NCAA legislation.
 
Sources Distributed by the Athletics Department:
A student-athlete may receive an athletics scholarship that may cover up to the cost of tuition, required fees, room, board, books and miscellaneous expenses related to attendance up to the cost of attendance.  The scholarship amounts specified in the student-athlete’s financial aid agreement are guaranteed for the period of the award (generally the academic year). 
 
Sources Distributed by the University (Nonathletic):
A student-athlete may receive institutional need-based aid based on information from his or her FAFSA. Such aid may include scholarships, grants, work-study, SEOG and PELL. A student-athlete may receive scholarships based on academic standing and/or athletic ability.  Student-athletes must complete a FAFSA application to receive considerable for these types of aid.  FAFSA applications completed by March 1 will receive maximum consideration.  Please visit the OFFICE OF FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS page for assistance on how to complete your application.  
 
Sources Outside the University:
A student-athlete may receive financial aid (e.g. scholarship from external group) that is awarded on basis unrelated to athletics ability or accomplishments.  A student-athlete MUST report all outside financial aid awards which he or she receives towards his or her college expenses in order to ensure institutional adherence to all pertinent bylaws regarding team scholarship limits.
 
Reduction/Cancellation of Institutional Financial Aid during Academic Year
If a student-athlete is receiving institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability, that financial aid MAY be reduced or canceled during the period of the award (e.g., during that academic year or term) only if the student-athlete:

• Renders himself or herself ineligible for intercollegiate competition, or
• Fraudulently misrepresents any information on an application, letter of intent or financial aid agreement, or
• Commits serious misconduct which warrants a substantial disciplinary penalty (the misconduct determination must be made by the university's regular student disciplinary authority), or
• Voluntarily quits the sport for personal reasons. In this case, the student-athlete's financial aid may not be given to another student-athlete during the term in which the aid was reduced or canceled.
• Violates any of the written conditions set forth in the student-athlete's athletics aid agreement.

Institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability MAY NOT be reduced, canceled or increased during the period of the award:

• Based on a student-athlete's ability, performance or contribution to a team's success, or
• Because injury prevents the student-athlete from participating, or
• For any other athletics reason.

Notification of Renewal/Nonrenewal at Conclusion of Academic Year
At the conclusion of the academic year, each head coach will decide whether to renew all scholarship athletes (unless otherwise agreed to) on their active rosters.  Renewal decisions will come by means of a letter from the Office of Financial Aid via certified mail by July 1^st. 
 
Appeal and Hearing Process:
In the event a student has his or her grant-in-aid non-renewed or reduced, all students have the right to request a hearing regarding the decision. If you choose to appeal, you are required to submit, in writing, your request for a hearing and any supporting documentation relevant to your appeal to Dr. Dave Croasdell, the University of Nevada Faculty Athletics Representative.  Dr. Croasdell must receive your written request for a hearing within ten (10) business days of date of this letter. 
 
 
 
Social Media
Representing the University of Nevada and the athletic department is an honor and a privilege provided to a select group of individuals. Along with that privilege comes a set of expectations and responsibilities as a Nevada student-athlete. You are held to a higher standard and are recognized both locally and nationally because you choose to represent this University and your respective sport.
 
Through social media, you are now being monitored by more individuals than ever before, including Wolf Pack fans, fans of opposing teams, and members of the media. Everything you do in these forums should positively represent the University. Used responsibly, social media can be a great way to interact with friends, fans and the public and promote your sport and the University of Nevada. Used irresponsibly it can be a quick way to destroy your reputation in 140 characters or less! This resource provides some tips and suggestions for using social media responsibly and effectively.

• DON’T accept any benefit to promote commercial entities on social media (including friends/family).
• DO set your security settings so that only your friends can see your account.
• DON'T accept friend or follow requests if you are not sure who they are coming from.
• DO understand that who you have listed as Followers or Friends is a reflection on you.
• DON'T put anything on social media that you would not want your family, your future employers, those reading the front page of the paper, or the whole world to see.
• DO think before you post, tweet or retweet -- Will this positively reinforce my brand?
• DON'T post offensive language, personal attacks or racial comments.
• DO talk to your sports information director about how to use social media to your advantage.
• DON'T post when you are emotional, like right after a game. You are more likely to say something you will regret.
• DO be familiar with the department's social media policy and the consequences for violating it.
• DON'T post anything about a recruit, even if it is someone you know, as this will result in an NCAA rules violation.
• DO ask questions if you are not sure what you are doing is ok.
• DON'T post or tweet anything during a class.
• DON'T publicize information about your team, the athletic department or the University that is not considered public knowledge.

 
 
Drug Testing Policy (NCAA and Nevada)
Nevada:
All student-athletes participating in intercollegiate athletics at the University of Nevada are subject to institutional drug screening on a year-round basis.  The University is committed to developing and maintaining an environment that encourages student-athletes to avoid the use of unauthorized controlled substances, performance-enhancing drugs, street drugs, alcohol, unapproved dietary supplements as well as tobacco products.  While the primary purpose of the program is education and support, the serious nature of substance abuse requires development of sanction as a deterrent to use.  Student-athletes should be assured that the University Drug Education and Testing Program is designed to maintain and promote their physical and mental well-being.  Please visit the DRUG EDUCATION, INTERVENTION, TESTING & TREATMENT PROGRAM link for a complete rundown of the Nevada Athletics Drug Policy.
 
NCAA:
In addition to institutional drug testing, the NCAA bans the following classes of drugs:

• Stimulants,
• Anabolic agents,
• Street drugs,
• Peptide hormones and analogues,
• Anti-estrogens, Beta-2 agonists.

The student-athlete shall be held accountable for all drugs within the banned drug class regardless of whether they have been specifically identified.  Please visit the NCAA BANNED DRUGS link for a comprehensive overview of the policy.